# Alexsander (footballer, born 2003)

Alexsander Cristhian Gomes da Costa (born 8 October 2003), simply known as Alexsander, is a Brazilian footballer who currently plays as a midfielder for Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli.

## Club career
### Fluminense

Coach Fernando Diniz named Alexsander for his professional debut against São Paulo on November 6, 2022, resulting in a 3-1 victory. He played as a left-back and was engaged in a sequence in which the opposing goalkeeper parried his shot, resulting in Germán Cano's rebound goal. Alexsander also helped to Rafinha's ejection and provided a strong defensive effort. In addition to this encounter, he participated in two additional games that year, both as a left-back.
In his eighth appearance for Fluminense, Alexsander scored his first professional goal in a 7–0 victory over Volta Redonda on March 8, during the tenth round of the 2023 Campeonato Carioca. He netted the third goal following a pass from Ganso. He also scored in the second leg of the Campeonato Carioca final, which Fluminense won 4-1, overcoming Flamengo's 2-0 lead from the first leg
Alexsander rapidly established himself as a defensive midfielder and left-back with Fernando Diniz, thanks to his steady performances. However, he suffered a left knee injury during a match against Cruzeiro on May 10, 2023. Nearing the conclusion of his recuperation, he sustained another injury on June 13, damaging his right thigh, delaying his return to the field by three months. An assessment revealed that the team's performance dropped from 78% to 47% without Alexsander, underscoring his importance to the squad.
Fully recovered from his injuries in August, and was scheduled to play against América Mineiro (3-1 win) in the 2023 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A eight days later, but did not play. He returned in the closing moments of Fluminense's quarterfinal encounter against Olimpia in the 2023 Copa Libertadores, which the team won 3-1. He was part of the squad that won the Copa Libertadores for Fluminense, the club's first-ever title in the competition, defeating Boca Juniors 2–1 at the Maracanã.
In December 2023, Alexsander was ranked by the CIES as one of the top U21 prospects in the world, placing sixth on the list. He concluded the season having made 36 appearances.
In April 2024, Fluminense banned Alexsander, along with teammates John Kennedy, Arthur, and Kauã Elias, for disciplinary difficulties. During the pre-match preparations for their encounter against Vasco da Gama, the four invited women to their hotel. They also scheduled a "inappropriate" party at the hotel. This conduct disturbed several of those there, and a hotel staff reported the incident to Fluminense. On April 30, Alexsander was reintegrated into the squad.

### Al-Ahli

In August 2024, Alexsander was transferred from Fluminense to Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia for €9 million (approximately BRL 54 million). The Saudi club acquired 85% of his rights, while Fluminense retained a 15% stake in the player.

## Career statistics

    As of match played 30 August 2024
| Club | Season | League | League | League | State league | State league | National cup | National cup | Continental | Continental | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Fluminense | 2022 | Série A | 3 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Fluminense | 2023 | Série A | 19 | 0 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 35 | 2 |
| Fluminense | 2024 | Série A | 15 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 25 | 0 |
| Fluminense | Total | Total | 37 | 0 | 11 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 63 | 2 |
| Al-Ahli | 2024–25 | Saudi Pro League | 2 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 39 | 0 | 11 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 65 | 2 |
* ↑ Includes Campeonato Carioca
* ↑ Includes Copa do Brasil
* 1 2 Appearances in Copa Libertadores

## Honours

Fluminense
* Copa Libertadores: 2023
* Recopa Sudamericana: 2024
* Campeonato Carioca: 2023
* Taça Guanabara: 2023
Brazil U20
* South American U-20 Championship: 2023